REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Recognition of Local Business Owner Anna Warren Cebrian
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2007, local business owner Anna Warren Cebrian purchased the former comic shop "Brian's Books" in the McWhorters Village Shopping Center to establish Illusive Comics & Games. Illusive Comics & Games first opened its doors for business on June 1, 2007. After 9 years in the McWhorters Village Shopping Center, Illusive Comics & Games relocated to Franklin Square and held its relocation grand opening on September 16, 2016. In addition to carrying the largest selection of comics and pop figurines, Illusive Comics & Games also offers miniature painting classes, live model drawing classes, writer meetups, knitting/sewing meetups, and comic creation classes.
Illusive Comics & Games was awarded Best Comic Shop in the Bay Area in 2015, 2016, and 2017 by the CityVoter Bay Area A-list which features the best local businesses in the Bay Area.
Each year, Comic-Con International honors retailers from around the globe with the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award. The Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award is awarded to retailers who have done an outstanding job of supporting the comic art medium both in the industry at large and in their local community. In July 2018, Santa Clara’s Illusive Comics & Games beat out 3,000 comic book stores at the San Diego Comic-Con to be a finalist of the highly coveted Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award and was ranked among the top five best comic stores in the world by the Comic Con International Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Judging Panel.
Each year, Illusive Comics & Games organizes fundraisers to benefit local schools and local chapters of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, American Red Cross, Operation Care and Comfort, and Second Harvest Food Bank. Illusive Comics & Games hosts “Free Comic Book Day” on the first Saturday in May each year and gives away thousands of free comics to encourage literary in children, as well as donates comics to local schools and the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. Illusive Comics & Games has also participated in the Santa Clara City Library Comic Con for the past three years and has donated numerous comics to the annual event.
DISCUSSION
As a Special Order of Business, the Mayor and Council will recognize Anna Warren Cebrian for Illusive Comics & Games’ success and contributions to our community.
In recognition for her business’ achievements, the Mayor and City Council will present a Certificate of Special Mayoral Recognition to local business owner Anna Warren Cebrian.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Chief Operating Officer
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager